Project Red

We have created this space so you can talk with other administrators about the curriculum and instruction questions you have and the issues you are facing. We hope you find the forum a useful tool. Feel free to post your ideas, successes, challenges and questions. The more people share, the more valuable the forum will become.


The Project RED Team

Thanks for creating the thread Michael! I'm curious how other districts are using building design and technology integration to accelerate student learning at the high school level. We are in the process of exploring HS building/classroom designs that promote collaboration and project-based learning. We believe that technology tools may also be helpful in promoting collaboration and supporting project-based learning. Any ideas for building/classroom designs that help to promote these concepts? We also know that teacher practice needs to change as well. We can't keep doing the same things and expect different results. In our district, we have focused on differentiated instruction, and specifically, clear learning goals, student engagement in the learning, and specific feedback to the learner as well as the teacher. I'm interested in hearing what others are doing.

Dick

That is a very interesting topic. I am working with New Jersey Institute of Technology on a project in Newark Public Schools. Deane Evans ([email protected]) is an architect who is investigating facilities issues as they relate to learning and also energy consumption. Mention my name and I'm sure he would be more than happy to talk with you.

Christian Long is another educator/architect that has done some interesting work with 21st century learning environments. He works for Cannon Design and can be reached at [email protected]. Again, mention my name and I'm sure he would be glad to talk with you.

I hope you find this helpful. We know our community is in its infancy, but please contribute your ideas and resources as your district goes through the development, design and implementation process. The more we all share the richer our community will become.

Good Luck!

Michael

Thanks for the information Michael! I'll get in touch with Deane Evans and Christian Long. I appreciate the contact information. We did visit Joplin, MO schools to see what they are doing with their temporary school after a tornado destroyed the current HS. We also looked at their new building plans. We're also visiting Westside HS in Omaha this coming week and would like to visit Oakridge, TN in the next few months. Both Westside and Oakridge have remodeled current facilities with designs to promote student collaboration and learning.

Dick

I did a webinar with the people from Joplin. They have quite a story. I'll have to look at Oakridge and Westside. I'm not as familiar with them, so thanks for bringing them to my attention. It's such an exciting time in education, and I give you tremendous credit for asking the right questions and moving thoughtfully in the right direction.

Oakridge HS and Westside HS are both remodels and additions to existing facilities. That's likely what will happen in Kearney as opposed to building an entirely new facility. We're interested in seeing how these schools changed their existing spaces to promote student collaboration and learning.